UEFA’S DISCIPLINARY PANEL have cleared BATE Borisov captain Vitali Rodionov of any wrongdoing despite the striker apologising for headbutting Dundalk’s Dane Massey during last week’s Champions League tie.
TV footage showed the Belarusian international’s altercation with Massey after his side scored the winning goal at the Borisov Arena last Wednesday.
After the game, Massey claimed he was headbutted and Rodionov subsequently issued an apology to the defender for his actions.
However, Rodionov will still be available for the return leg at Oriel Park tomorrow evening after Uefa cleared the 31-year-old of any disciplinary breach.
“I was involved in an incident and I’m really sorry about that,” the striker said in a statement issued through BATE’s website.
“I understand the wrongfulness of my behaviour and accept that there’s no place for aggression in football. I’d like to voice my sincere apologies to Dane Massey.”
Rodionov added: “I’d like to explain that my actions were not an assault and did not have any direct intent to harm the opponent and were not by any means a demonstration of enmity towards him – but were only a result of emotions after we scored a goal.
“I accept wrongfulness of my behaviour and I’m ready to take any punishment from Uefa’s Disciplinary Body and from my club.”
The second leg kicks-off at 7.45pm on Wednesday and is live on RTÉ 2.
Shows serious squad depth when you can bring on a player of the caliber of La Touche Cosgrave
@Hugh: bench is fierce strong…boylan some man to catch a ball
Limerick and Kilkenny look to be very strong it’s a brilliant championship.
@Gerry W: Glad to hear your enjoying the championship Gerry. And it’s great to hear your back playing sport again after a long term injury.
@Flembomb: still in retirement yourself flembomb? Never fully recovered from that hamstring injury…
@Gerry W: c
@Gerry W: cork could have something to say about that. But that Limerick side are very good. Kilkenny are growing with every game. 3 really good teams. Did I hear it’s Kilkenny vs Antrim in the Semi and Munster winners vs Galway?
@Jason Pierce: ya thats it alright…no disrespect to antrim but thats Kilkenny in the final anyway…Limerick still have to beat cork/waterford and galway, its not a given yet
Limerick have six senior forwards Peter casey, Barry Nash, Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayse, Tom Morrissey, and Aron Gillane throw in Ronan Lynch and Sean Finn and you would expect them to land the All Ireland again.
I couldnt say we played well, despite the 13 point winning margin. We certainly did had some very good patches of hurling. That we left Clare get back to within five points despite being totally dominant in first half, is somewhat annoying/concerning. The game as a contest should have been finished at half time, we wont get away with missing all those goal chances against Cork/Waterford.
Limerick played in third gear throughout. It was like a challenge match for large parts, Clare were just not at the races, particularly around the middle of the park and on the 40.
Limerick have much improving to do if they are to stand up to the challenge of either Cork or Waterford in the final. Either of those sides will represent a step-up in quality from Tipp and Clare.
Limerick prob fav’s to repeat the feat of U21 Munster and All-Ireland again,but that Cork/Waterford and potentially Galway team have a seriously talented panel too, way too close to call tbh, some great games to be decided over the coming weeks
@Now or Never: a senior all Ireland win for Limerick in the next few years given the strength of the u21s …oh wait
@John Ryan: seen it all before John. Hard to be hopeful.